City of Lawrence

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

October 8, 2018 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Chair, Allen Humphrey, Sue Hack, John Blazek, Mandy Enfield, Pat Phillips, Patricia Collette, Marilyn Hull, and Bart Littlejohn

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Val Renault

STAFF PRESENT:

Derek Rogers, Roger Steinbrock, Lee Ice, Mark Hecker,

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Coyla Lockhart, Courtney Shipley, Shannon Hodges

 

     I.        Meeting called to order by Humphrey

 

   II.        Approval of September 10 minutes

Approval was motioned by Enfield; Littlejohn seconded.  Motion carried 8-0.

 

 III.        Highlights/Concerns

Enfield was approached by a person that visits the dog park frequently and they have concerns with all the volunteer evergreen trees, thinking it would be a good idea to cut them down and give them away as little holiday trees.  Enfield also brought up hostile architecture, the practice of deterring homeless sleeping in parks. Enfield thought the practice of using it was mean-natured and ineffective from an article she read and doesn’t want to see the City use it in its future design in park amenities and other public spaces. Hull didn’t like the term “hostile architecture” and said she would think we wouldn’t want people sleeping in the parks. Hull wondered what the defense was for using the term. Enfield said she didn’t know but saw the use of benches designed to deter people from sleeping on them as mean-natured and the article she read said it didn’t accomplish the goals that people wanted to accomplish. Enfield said maybe it would be worth doing some research into it. Enfield said she just wanted to bring it up to bring attention to the practice and comment on it, making others aware of it.

Blazek reported he will be going to the next CITY Commission meeting, as a citizen, to ask why city employees are allowed to live in other communities, why we have employees do jobs in our community and then they go home in other communities and paying property taxes to the other community. He said he wouldn’t be representing the board but as a private citizen.

Pat Phillips inquired about park closures due to flooding or other weather-related issues, if that is anything that our department handles.  Hecker/Steinbrock reported the process used when we close parks. 

Littlejohn reported that a sign about the eagles in Burcham Park by the train tracks is gone.  Hecker said he would check into it.

Hull reported there was a complaint about the bike share bikes piling up by the library, taking the spots at the bike rack for those that ride their own bikes.  Rogers reported that VeoRide will be adding some electric bikes to their fleet. 

Humphrey reported to Ice the sign on the track at SPL that says “walkers should be on the outer lane” but in practice it should say “runners should be on the outer lane.” 

 

  IV.        Cemetery Decorations Proposed Changes

Rogers reported at the first public meeting for the cemeteries regarding decorations was held and it was emotional for several that attended.  When the appearance and maintenance of the cemeteries was brought up, people were upset more than emotional.  In Oakhill, sections 1 and 17, we will be reducing the use of chemical trimming around markers and trees; hiring more part-time staff; remove seven evergreen trees and planting 10-12 oak trees.  Staff is also reseeding, sodding and have brought additional dirt in to areas needing it and looking at repairing some water lines within the grounds.  Rogers hopes to see some substantial improvement quickly.  Rogers also mentioned there had a volunteer group with Prosoco, that cleaned headstones.  After the second public meeting, Rogers said there would be a reduction in the number of cleanups of cemetery grounds from three times a year to once a year.  Shepherd hooks have to be a single or double hook and must have something on them to have them remain.  Steinbrock reported there will be another public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 5:30pm at the Union Pacific Depot.  Only one public comment was received from the second meeting and that is not to allow shepherd hooks in section 16 of Oak Hill.  Section 16 of Oak Hill is supposed to be a flat stone area.

Blazek complimented Rogers and Steinbrock for the communication given to the board.  Pat Phillips appreciated the process on such a sensitive subject and negotiation process. 

 

    V.        Police Headquarters Park Area

Hecker reported that he is on the design team for the police facility, primarily for the park area surrounding the facility.  Hecker briefly went over the plans for the facility and park area.  Public meetings will be held Nov. 7th, Dec. 19th (2018) and Feb. 6th, will present the final design of the park master plan.  Will keep the board updated as the process proceeds.

 

  VI.        Playground Rankings

Hecker passed a review/assessment of all the playgrounds in town and stated that we have 38 playgrounds across the city.  He went over the ranking system, high end use, ADA accessibility, etc.  He would like to have a good playground in every region and not all in one area. 

 

VII.        Retreat TABLED DISCUSSION UNTIL NEXT MEETING

 

VIII.        Staff Reports

a.    Parks – Hecker is looking for input regarding the playground rankings and the amenities. 

b.    Recreation – Ice reported that a group of about 80 to100 people from North Carolina visited SPL and Lawrence.  They are looking to build a facility like SPL for their community.  Recreational classes are in full swing; Special Pops will be going to the Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch Oct. 17.

c.     Staff –Director– Rogers toured the sustainability garden (community garden) at John Taylor Park.  They have different plots for different public (community) and individual gardens. They donated around 575 pounds of food to Just Food this year. 

Hack – Asked staff to relay a message to Crystal and her crew on how beautiful the downtown planters are.  She also mentioned that Bart Littlejohn and Mandy Enfield are part of the 2019 Leadership Lawrence class.

Marketing– Steinbrock said information would be going out regarding public meetings for the park around the police headquarters building scheduled to be built in west Lawrence.  He also reminded everyone of the next public meeting for the cemeteries, which was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 5:30pm and the Union Pacific Depot.

 

 

  IX.        Public Comments

Friends of Oak Hill will be meeting on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 6:30pm at the Methodist Church, 11th and Vermont.  Working towards 501c3.

 

    X.        Other

 

Next Board Meeting, Monday, November 12, at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Meeting adjourned.